What’s the best, conflict-free way to divvy up my personal possessions amongst my kids after I’m gone? I have jewelry, art, family heirlooms, antique furniture and five grown kids that don’t always see eye-to-eye. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Divvying up personal possessions amongst adult children or other loved ones is a task that many parents dread. Deciding who should get what without showing favoritism, hurting someone’s feelings or causing a feud can be difficult even for close-knit families who enter the process with the best of intentions. Here are some tips to consider that can help you divide your possessions with minimal conflict. Continue reading →

1. Pack swim suit 2. Stop the mail for the week. 3. Ask neighbors to water the flowers. 4. Review estate plan. – – – – Say What? Truthfully, all of us are aware that increased travel brings with it increased risk. Travel accidents occur every day, and we would not be doing our family justice should we neglect to insure that our affairs are in order before leaving for that long awaited vacation. Some concerns: Continue reading →

If you or a loved one has one of these conditions, it is important to communicate with your attorney and other advisors about your condition. There are specific planning options both during life and for your testamentary plan that should be considered. Continue reading →

What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? I didn’t have to file last year, but I picked up a little income from a part-time job in 2014 and I’m wondering whether I need to file this year. Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year will depend on how much you earned (gross income), the source of that income, your filing status and your age. Your gross income includes all the income you receive that is not exempt from tax, excluding your Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately. Continue reading →

The percentage of married households in the United States fell from 55 percent in 1990 to 48 percent in 2010. About 40 percent of all marriages end in divorce. Three quarters of people who divorce remarry — accounting for a pretty large proportion of the 48 percent of American households that are married. Nearly 1.5 million babies a year are born to unmarried women, more than a third of all births. This can complicate matters, especially when the father is not identified or, in the case of donated sperm, does not exist. It also can mean a greater need for planning when there is no identified back-up parent if something happens to the mother. If you are in a relationship, but not married, have been married more than once, have children by more than one partner, or have beneficiaries who cannot manage funds for one reason or another, then it’s more important that you do estate planning. And you need more than LegalZoom to accomplish your goals. Continue reading →